Vasorelaxing Activity of Ulmus davidiana Ethanol Extracts in Rats: Activation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Rehder (Urticales: Ulmaceae) (UD) is a tree widespread in northeast Asia. It is traditionally used for anticancer and anti-inflammatory therapy. The present study investigated the effect of an ethanol extract of UD on vascular tension and its underlying mechanism in rats. The dried root bark of UD was ground and extracted with 80% ethanol. The prepared UD extract was used in further analysis. The effect of UD on the cell viability, vasoreactivity and hemodynamics were investigated using propidium iodide staining in cultured cells, isometric tension recording and blood pressure analysis, respectively. Low dose of UD (10~100microg/ml) did not affect endothelial cell viability, but high dose of UD reduced cell viability. UD induced vasorelaxation in the range of 0.1~10microg/ml with an ED50 value of 2microg/ml. UD-induced vasorelaxation was completely abolished by removal of the endothelium or by pre-treatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. UD inhibited calcium influx induced by phenylephrine and high K+ and also completely abolished the effect of L-NAME. Intravenous injection of UD extracts (10~100 mg/kg) decreased arterial and ventricular pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UD extracts reduced the ventricular contractility (+dP/dt) in anesthetized rats. However, UD-induced hypotensive actions were minimized in L-NAME-treated rats. Taken together, out results showed that UD induced vasorelaxation and has antihypertensive properties, which may be due the activation of nitric oxide synthase in endothelium.

A Case of Marfan Syndrome with Left Atrial Myxoma Confirmed by Echocardiography

The Marfan syndrome, a rare disease causing a marked decrease in life expectancy by involving the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems, is known as a connective tissue disorder that is inherited autosomal dominant. The cardiovascular complications directly related to the cause of death are associated with more than 90% of the Marfan syndrome. Aortic aneurysm with rupture could occur because of dilatation of aorta due to defect of media. Aortic and mitral insufficiency, mitral valve prolapse, bacterial endocarditis, arrhythmia, and aneurysm of interatrial septum are also frequently observed. A few literatures were reported domestically pertaining to the Marfan syndrome thus far, and there are increased discoveries of cardiovascular complications of the syndrome with the application of echocardiogram. However, the Marfan syndrome with LA myxoma has never been reported both domestically and internationally(INDEX MEDICUS, 1966-1989). Therefore we hereby report a case of the Marfan syndrome with LA myxoma from the observation of a patient who was admitted to Eulji General Hospital at Taejeon i August of 1989.